Kids, teens and the fashion industry: Most talked-about controversies

April 18, 2012 3:05 PM

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The latest Urban Outfitters catalog features an image of two young women kissing and conservative groups are upset.

One Million Moms, the same group that attacked J.C. Penney in February for hiring Ellen DeGeneres as their spokesperson, has posted a message on its website, warning parents about the image that promotes lesbianism and encouraging them to express their outrage to the retail chain.

Urban Outfitters hasn’t issued a public response. The company’s president and CEO, Richard Hayne, is a known conservative and he donated over $13,000 to the Rick Santorum campaign. Hayne hasn’t openly expressed his views on gay marriage, but he’s thought to be anti-gay because in 2008 the retailer pulled pro-gay-marriage T-shirt from store shelves.

Urban Outfitters certainly isn’t the only fashion brand to spark parent outrage. The industry is known for controversy, which becomes especially heated when children and teens are involved. Take a look at some of the most talked about fashion ads and spreads that have sent some parents and ad critics into a tizzy. less

The latest Urban Outfitters catalog features an image of two young women kissing and conservative groups are upset.

The latest Urban Outfitters catalog features an image of two young... Photo-2832488.41808 - StamfordAdvocate

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This ad looks benign today but in 1980 the world was in an uproar over 15-year-old Brooke Shield's provocative pose and partially unbuttoned shirt in a Calvin Klein TV ad.

This ad looks benign today but in 1980 the world was in an uproar over 15-year-old Brooke Shield's provocative pose and partially unbuttoned shirt in a Calvin Klein TV ad.

Photo: Picasa 3.0

This ad looks benign today but in 1980 the world was in an uproar... Photo-2832489.41808 - StamfordAdvocate

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Benetton has created some of the most controversial ads in the fashion world. This one depicting a blond angelic child and a black devilish child was meant to promote harmony and understanding but critics said it endorsed racial stereotypes. less

Benetton has created some of the most controversial ads in the fashion world. This one depicting a blond angelic child and a black devilish child was meant to promote harmony and understanding but critics said ... more

Benetton has created some of the most controversial ads in the... Photo-2832490.41808 - StamfordAdvocate

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Abercrombie & Fitch is known for using sex to sell its teen and kids clothing lines. This image of a topless girl hugging a bare-chested boy was one of the tamer photos in the 2003 Christmas catalog that was pulled from stores. Another photo depicted teenage group sex. less

Abercrombie & Fitch is known for using sex to sell its teen and kids clothing lines. This image of a topless girl hugging a bare-chested boy was one of the tamer photos in the 2003 Christmas catalog that was ... more

Abercrombie & Fitch is known for using sex to sell its teen and... Photo-2832491.41808 - StamfordAdvocate

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Magazine covers are notoriously inappropriate. This 2008 Japanese edition of Harper's Bazaar sparked outrage for featuring a rail-thin 14-year-old Polish model. Monika Jagaciak was banned from walking at Austrlia's Fashion Week. less

Magazine covers are notoriously inappropriate. This 2008 Japanese edition of Harper's Bazaar sparked outrage for featuring a rail-thin 14-year-old Polish model. Monika Jagaciak was banned from walking at ... more

La Redoute, a French clothing company, posted a picture on its website of children on the beach in 2011. Perfectly safe? Well, yes, but there was a man who, with the help of a zoom feature on the site, could clearly be seen in his birthday suit. Oops! less

La Redoute, a French clothing company, posted a picture on its website of children on the beach in 2011. Perfectly safe? Well, yes, but there was a man who, with the help of a zoom feature on the site, could ... more

In 2008 India Vogue used poor people as props, dressing them in uber-expensive clothing. In this photo a child wears a $100 Fendi bib.

In 2008 India Vogue used poor people as props, dressing them in uber-expensive clothing. In this photo a child wears a $100 Fendi bib.

In 2008 India Vogue used poor people as props, dressing them in... Photo-2832496.41808 - StamfordAdvocate

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When J. Crew sent out an email advert for its children’s wear line featuring a photograph of the company’s creative director painting her 5-year-old son’s toenails pink in 2011, Fox News slammed the clothing brand while everyone else embraced the photo. less

When J. Crew sent out an email advert for its children’s wear line featuring a photograph of the company’s creative director painting her 5-year-old son’s toenails pink in 2011, Fox News slammed the ... more

When J. Crew sent out an email advert for its children’s wear... Photo-2832497.41808 - StamfordAdvocate

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Land's End is perfectly wholesome? Maybe not. One of the flirty girl's in this 2011 catalog photo is wearing hiked up shorts and licking a lollipop.

Land's End is perfectly wholesome? Maybe not. One of the flirty girl's in this 2011 catalog photo is wearing hiked up shorts and licking a lollipop.

Land's End is perfectly wholesome? Maybe not. One of the... Photo-2832498.41808 - StamfordAdvocate

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A 14-year-old wunderkind sitting on train tracks? UK advertising censors didn't approve of the 2011 Miu Miu print ad and said it is "showing a child in a dangerous situation."

A 14-year-old wunderkind sitting on train tracks? UK advertising censors didn't approve of the 2011 Miu Miu print ad and said it is "showing a child in a dangerous situation."

Dolce & Gabana was forced to pull this 2007 Spanish ad because one of the young models is sporting a bikini top. A government official said, “It’s an advert where little girls aren’t portrayed in the attitude of little girls.” less

Dolce & Gabana was forced to pull this 2007 Spanish ad because one of the young models is sporting a bikini top. A government official said, “It’s an advert where little girls aren’t portrayed in the ... more

How old are these stick-thin girls glamorizing cocaine? 16? Sisley wanted to make their clothes seem addictive, but the public was outraged by their message.

How old are these stick-thin girls glamorizing cocaine? 16? Sisley wanted to make their clothes seem addictive, but the public was outraged by their message.

How old are these stick-thin girls glamorizing cocaine? 16? Sisley... Photo-2832503.41808 - StamfordAdvocate

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Urban Outfitters knocked off Native American tribal patterns for a line of products. The items, especially the Navajo print hipster panties, were seen as culturally insensitive and the Navajo Nation asked the company to pull the products. less

Urban Outfitters knocked off Native American tribal patterns for a line of products. The items, especially the Navajo print hipster panties, were seen as culturally insensitive and the Navajo Nation asked the ... more